Sultan of Sokoto in Wukari, as Manu Ali coronated 25th Aku Uka
*Visits tomb of 15th Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammad Tambari
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
“We are not strangers to Wukari. History shows that we are part and parcel of Wukari because, right here in Wukari, Sultan Tambari’s body is lying peacefully in this very blessed land. The 15th Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Tambari spent his last years in Wukari and his tomb is right here.”
The Sultan of Sokoto and Sarkin Musulumi of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Saturday October 22, 2022, graced the historic event of the coronation and presentation of Staff of Office to Manu Ishaku Adda Ali Matakhistwen I, as the 25th Aku Uka of Wukari, by Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku, Governor of Taraba State, North East Nigeria.
The DEFENDER reports that the Sultan attended the event in his capacity as Chairman National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria and Chairman Northern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council added with the fact that Wukari has a history of strong connection with his throne as one of his predecessors, the 15th Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammad Tambari (1924-1931), died, was buried and has continued to rest in the peaceful land of Wukari in the Kwararafa Kingdom of Taraba.
The Aku Uka is a first-class traditional ruler, who oversees the affairs and upholds the culture of not just the Wukari people but the entire Kwararafa Kingdom.
Wukari, a Local Government Council located in Southern part of Taraba State, is dominated by the Jukun people. The installation of 76-year-old Matakhistwen I as its 25th monarch is, therefore, seen to be a blessing especially when he is such an experienced and distinguished personality that he is, not only in Taraba but also Nigeria, having served in the Forestry Service for 35 years beginning from 1965 and retired as Chief Superintendent of Forestry in 2020. He was born on the 24th of March 1946.
By his installation on Saturday, the new Aku Uka swore to be faithful to his duties and to the Taraba State Government, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the country.
Attending the memorable event along with Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and Governor Ishaku of Taraba State were several other dignitaries from all over Nigeria namely; the Governor of Plateau State, Sir Simon Bako Lalong, Governor Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom, Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Engr Haruna Manu, former Chief ofh Army Staff, Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswan, the state Chief Judge, top government functionaries and several other top traditional rulers and other invited guests from across Taraba State and Nigeria.
In his address, General TY Danjuma congratulated the new Aku Uka on his installation and presentation of staff of office and prayed God to grant him long life and keep him for his people and the defence of the entire Kwararafa Kingdom.
Also speaking, Governor of Pleateau State and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Sir Simon Lalong, congratulated the newly installed monarch on this special day.
Governor Lalong, who is also the Director General, All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said, “I bring you the good will of the people of Plateau State and also the good wishes of the Northern Governors Forum and that of my principal, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”
He said Taraba and Plateau states are brothers and sisters and will continue to be so, while urging the Aku Uka to try his best in carrying out his duties and also helping in job creation.
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku acknowledged everyone present at the event and said the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar sent his greetings to the good people of Wukari and Taraba State as a whole.
The Sultan, in his usual charismatic manner of public speaking, started by specially recognising three personalities he called “most distinguished” and he named them as the “brand new Aku Uka my dear brother who is a distinguished administrator”, then the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Ishaku, and the “General of Generals” Lieutenant General “Theophilus Theophilus Danjuma”.
Speaking the Sultan said: “This very historic day we are all gathered here to witness the coronation, the presentation of Staff of Office to the 25th Aku Uka. We thank God Almighty for making this day possible and I make bold to say 85 percent of the people here never witnessed coronation of such nature because, the last Aku Uka was here for 45 years.
“So, it’s very historic for so many of you to be part of this event and we thank the Almighty for making it possible and for keeping us alive to be here to witness this history making event today.
“We thank God Almighty for using the Governor to being in a distinguished administrator, who spent his life serving this country and humanity. We believe we can use the wisdom Almighty bestowed on him in the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria of which I happen to be the Chairman, in the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, of which I happen to be the Chairman, and I would like to, on behalf of all the traditional rulers in this country, welcome you on board these two special bodies.
“We assure you of our total support. We assure you of total commitment to your effort to make, not only to Jukun or Taraba State but also to the rest of humanity. We would support you. We would work with you inshallah. You can count on us anytime of the day and, inshallah we would not fail you.
“We are not strangers to Wukari. History shows that we are part and parcel of Wukari because, right here in Wukari, Sultan Tambari’s body is lying peacefully in this very blessed land. The 15th Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Tambari spent his last years in Wukari and his thomb is right here.
“So, I would like to thank all the people of Wukari for making sure peace reign in this land, in particular, and in Nigeria in general. We assure you we would continue to work with you, we pray for you and the relative peace we already enjoy in this part of the country, in Wukari in particular, I call on the youths, please, do not derail it. Work with the Aku Uka to entrench permanent peace because it is only in peace that we can develop.
“It is only when there is peace both the Aku Uka and the Governor can work for your upliftment for you to have better lives. Do not allow yourselves to be used by politicians to cause havoc. Contest peacefully and let the will of the people prevails and whoever you choose to lead you will, inshallah, lead you. We wish you all the very best,” he said.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, as part of his activities in the town, visited Hubare, the tomb of Sultan Muhammad Tambari, the 15th Sultan of Sokoto (1924-1931).
